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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 6

Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

126 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether the Government will amend the Defence Acts to allow the Defence Forces to participate in EU led operations approved but not specifically authorised by the UN Security Council. [14800/03]

Ireland's commitment to collective security is pursued through the United Nations which has the primary role in the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN possesses no standing military forces of its own and relies on the provision of such resources by willing members. National sovereignty is a fundamental underlying principle of participation in the European security and defence policy. Participation in any specific operation by member states is decided on a case by case basis and in accordance with respective national decision making procedures. The provisions relating to participation of members of the Defence Forces in overseas missions are set out in the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960, as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act 1993, which provides that a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force may be despatched for service outside the State, as part of a particular international United Nations force. Participation in an overseas operation requires UN authorisation, a specific Government decision and, where the level of participation is to exceed 12 members of the Defence Forces, the approval of Dáil Éireann.

At a time of geopolitical instability and change it is important that the international community continues to support the United Nations in maintaining peace and stability. While I would not wish our legislative provisions would prevent the Defence Forces from participation in missions which support Ireland's underlying principles of providing support in the areas of international peacekeeping, humanitarian missions, or peace support operations, it is important at this time that our decision making process continues to reflect our support for the United Nations. In this regard, the circumstances which arose in relation to the participation of the Defence Forces in the first EU peace support operation, currently under way in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), are unlikely to recur. These circumstances, it will be recalled, related to the fact that while a United Nations Resolution 1371 welcomed international efforts, including the efforts of the EU, to support the implementation of the Ohrid Peace Agreement in FYROM, it did not authorise an international United Nations force as required by the Defence Acts.
This was a unique situation and I expect that future EU Petersberg Tasks missions will have the required UN authorisation thereby enabling the Government to consider Defence Forces participation on a case by case basis. The question of legislative change in this regard, therefore does not arise. However, in a volatile international security environment, we should keep the matter under review to ensure that we are not found wanting should circumstances arise where the Government would wish to consider Defence Forces participation in a crisis calling for a response from the international community which conforms to Ireland's proud tradition in contributing to international peace and security.
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